-Footprints in the Sand-

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets offootprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really troubled him and he questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:

"My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Oh the Places You'll See, and the Things You'll Do!!

The good thing about living in Mexico is that they have holidays like every three weeks. So since they have holidays, that means that we get many three/four day weekends. With this time, we spend it traveling and seeing our new country. :) I had the opportunity to see many new places and things, more than my host family I am living with now has seen. It is kinda weird cause I have seen more of Mexico than they have, although they have experienced it longer than me. I am beyond blessed to have had an opportunity to do so! Since our last vacation was this week, I can tell you everywhere I have been. Here's the list:

My blog is titled, "Footprints left behind in Mexico," yeah? So I was curious as to how many miles my feet have, and will travel throughout this awesome country.

To do this
math, I calculated my miles walked to and from school each day. Now we
didn't have school on the weekends, but I still had to walk to church on
Sundays which is a little farther than the school. The walk to school
was 1.5 miles...then the walk back was the same, so we'll say I walked
an average of 3 miles everyday. Saturdays our group usually did
something, or we were on vacation and I am sure that we walked way more
than 3 miles each day. So here is what it boils down to:

127 days in Mexico + 3 miles walked everyday=give or take a little would be...

381 MILES WALKED BY FOOT. That's a lotta walkin'!

Prices for all this traveling= For everything that I have bought, places I have visited, and food I have eaten, I have spent about $700 USD. Bus tickets cost the most, and took about 3/4 of that total.

Skype calls from friends- 0
Phone calls made/received- 0
Text Messages sent/received- 0
-Am I a popular person or what!?
*I did receive many emails, one package, one letter, one birthday card, and I am beyond blessed for them! :)

Times I've cried- 2
- One was at the superb Relief Society broadcast we had this semester, and the other is the day I will have to say goodbye to all the amazing people I have met. (I have come close SO many times though.)

Times I have gotten lost...
- The first time I got lost was my very first day in Mexico. I landed in the Mexico City airport, went through customs, grabbed my luggage, and was lost for 5 hours after that. I was on the verge of tears, but I knew that I was going to be ok. I finally found the other girls, and did a celebratory leap inside my soul.

- The second time was my second day in Tehuacan. I had to walk to school with a crappy map, and a good sense of direction. Considering I had only seen the city once, (in a car) I was for sure lost....for an hour and a half. I'm not really sure how I found the school, but I thank God that he helped me!

- Cholula- Since there are 7 teachers, we have to take 2 taxi cabs when we travel. This time, we somehow got split up, and ended up in different parts of town. It was an experience, and a fun one at that.

- Every other place we vacationed for that matter! Getting lost is just something you have to be prepared for in another country. Keep a calm mind, say a few prayers, and know that there is ALWAYS someone there to help you.

This is my favorite picture :)

Things I have craved:
- Big Macs. Big Macs. Big Macs. And real Italian spaghetti. They do have Big Macs here, but not Italian spaghetti. :/

Other random things-
- I haven't been home sick at all since I have been here. Being at college for 6 months prepared me way beyond what I could have imagined. Four months here, isn't bad at all. And besides, you can find family in any country you live in.

- I have taught over 100 kids English while I have been here, and have loved every single one of them. Even if they chose to climb bookcases, and stick the garbage can on top of it. I should've got a picture of that!

- There was this one time, (while 5 teachers witnessed a robbery at gunpoint, and bribing police officers in Mexico City) Janessa and I had to squish 5 classes into 2. That was interesting, but glad the others made it back in time for our 6-8 class. :) (Did I mention that they are all fine, and will live to tell awesome stories one day. :)

I cannot begin express how grateful I am for the life I have been given to serve those in another country. I cannot believe that I only have 3 weeks left! Time has flown by so fast. I know I will blink, and will be standing in the airport not ready to leave behind those that I have grown to love here. I know that I must move on though. I may be leaving, but that does not mean I will forget. Remember when I said that I have only cried twice here...well make it three.